Jonah’s Story

We’ve been sharing stories with each other for the past few weeks. Usually, Matt and I tell the stories. But lately I’ve been asking J to trade me. Meaning I will tell him a story if he tells me one. He just turned two and a half, so it’s wonderful to hear his ideas.

This morning, he shared a fantastic story with me. I decided to write it down, pretty much word for word. A few times I asked, “and then what happened?” Other than that, this is all Jonah. My personal favorite part is, “We ate while we worried.”

Jonah’s Story

Once upon a time there was a big, big strawberry. Dada and Baby Em were inside. They were eaten by a mean monster. We were home. (Mama and Jonah) The monster spit they out in that plant right there. Then they got in Daisy Mae’s mouth. We worried. We ate while we worried.

They had an idea. That they could fly out if they spread they arms out and put an airplane on they arms. So they fly. Then they got in this milk.

We were very, very sad. We cry. We cry while they in there. We cry a lot.

They made a hole and climbed out. Then they got in Baby Em’s puffs. (Her container of baby “puff” cereal.)

We cry a lot.

I don’t know how they got out. When they did, we gave they hug.

That the end of my story.

And so it begins….

My two and a half year old pretty deceptive already.

Case in point….yesterday, when I was preparing food for his sister, he dropped is bowl of yogurt on the kitchen floor. I didn’t see it, so I asked him what happened. Keep in mind, I wasn’t mad – - just curious.

“It fell all by itself,” he said.

“Really?” I asked. “All by itself?”

“Yeah,” he said. “No. Wait. Orange juice knock it down.”

“Wow,” I said. “The orange juice did it? Really?”

Then he must’ve felt guilty, so he admitted the truth.

Lately, everything from his stuffed animals to his baby sister have been creating all sorts of mayhem. So far, he’s a pretty bad liar. If he’s anything like his mother, he won’t improve.

She walks!

Four steps yesterday! And the poor thing is sick too.

I think it will be awhile before she really gets moving as a biped — but she’s right there.

She loves to push around her walk-behind toy. Pretty soon she’ll be chasing after Jonah. (Goodness, he’s going to hate that!)

Jonah Roller Skating

A local roller rink has a weekly toddler skate. At first, I thought this was crazy. I mean, kids under three can barely run across a playground without tumbling — and you want us to put WHEELS on their feet?

We went last month, partially because we thought it would be entertaining at the least. Turns out it was blast. Jonah loved it. Couldn’t wait to go back. He didn’t even fall that much.

You’ll notice in the first one that Jonah calls himself Anne. She’s sort of an imaginary friend… occasionally he’ll pretend to be Anne. It allows him to be someone else for awhile. I think it’s fantastic.

J’s sweetness

We are tremendously lucky. Our two-year-old is so, so sweet. He is amazing in his ability to think about others. And his innate understanding that the best things in life are always better if shared — even if you only have one chocolate chip cookie.

Here’s a recent little story that illustrates his kindness.

His little sister was taking her morning nap when we decided to make some lunch. Matt asked him to bring a chair over so he could help make his sandwich.

“I can’t,” he replied.

“Why not?” Matt asked.

“I can’t move the chair, it’s too loud!” Jonah exclaimed. “Baby Em sleeping.”

Of course, we both told him how amazing it was that he was thinking about his little sister.

He responded with a shrug, “Well, I think with my ears.”

J, you’re wonderful.

Cute Emery

She’s getting so big. My little girl now stands up on her own for minutes at a time, takes a step here or there, says “Mama,” “Dada,” “Ball” and yesterday we finally made out that she’s been saying “Broa” (for brother). It all happens so fast! She’s nine months tomorrow!

Dr. Jonah

Okay…I know I’m her Mom…

But if this isn’t about the cutest thing you’ve ever seen — then you’re made of stone.

December 2010

I LOVE this video of J — despite the fact that he says he doesn’t love anyone but his Dad.

November 2009 — Emery’s smile

Emery was laughing like crazy when I sang her “Shake, Rattle and Roll” in a really low voice. Ofcourse, she wouldn’t do it when I got out the camera. But it’s cute anyway.

October 2009 — Jonah’s Elmo Puppet Show

Eating

Some fun photos of the kids stuffing their faces…or having their faces stuffed.

Christmas photos from Lawrence

Despite (or perhaps because of) the snow storm, we had a lovely Christmas in Lawrence. Both kids got to spend considerable time with their cousins — which is awesome. They are really starting to become much more comfortable around each other. And with four kids born in just over three years, it should always be interesting!

On a side note, Maya got a whole box of dress up clothes.

Just click on the photos to make them bigger.

Me and E

This is one of my favorite photos of me and Emery. I think she looks like me!

Thanksgiving photos

Here are some photos from the Frye’s visit on Thanksgiving.

Photos from the Fall

Pumpkin Patch and Apple Picking

Here are few of our photos from the Pumpkin Patch! Hopefully I’ll get some of our trip to Red Barn Farm up soon!

Enjoy!

J munched on two different apples while we were picking.

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Emery slept through most of it…

 

She woke up just as we were getting ready to leave.

Funny things.

Two-year-olds say the most wonderful stuff…and I’ve been remiss in not documenting more of it. So I’m going to try to record some of the more amusing or sweet pieces of our conversations on the blog.

A few days ago:

J: Why do I cough?

Me: You cough to get snot and germs out of your throat.

J: Where does snot live?

Me: In your nose.

J: And sometimes in my mouth.

And a sweet one:

Me: We’re a family, we take care of each other.

J: I take care of Baby Em. I take care of Mama.

Me: Who does Dada take care of?

J: You. And me. And Baby Em.

Me: So we all take care of each other, right?

J: We take care of each other now!

Me: That’s right, J.

J: We need love. We all need love now!

And another sweet one:

J: Jonah has kitty cats!

Me: Yup. How many do you have?

J:  I need one more. (Holding up his one little finger.)

Me: You do? You have so many.

J: Need live one!

Me: Is that what you’re going to ask Santa for for Christmas?

J: Yeah!

Then, under his breath, he says to himself, “Be brave. Be brave.”

A little story

Just had to share:

Yesterday, Jonah and I did some Halloween crafts. We made ghosts to suspend from our ceiling, monsters out of old cereal boxes and spiders out of painted egg cartons. He was in heaven.

While we were hard at work, Emery sat in her little chair watching us. At one point, while punching holes in the egg cartons, I asked J to get Emery a toy to play with. He dropped what he was doing and ran into the living room.

So excited to get back to his crafts, he nearly tripped running back into the kitchen. He set the toy down on her tray.

Then he started to walk away. After about two steps, he stopped. He turned back to her.

He leaned over and pulled the little string on her toy to make it sing for her. Then he kissed her on the head.

Now that’s a good big brother.

Sitting Up!

E is now sitting up! She’s sitting support for a few weeks now,

but suddenly this week — she got it. She can sit by herself

wonderfully. Will try to post photos soon!